patriarchy

the basic principle of all major relationship systems in western world (Sandra M. Schneiders, Women and the Word), patriarchy refers to a hierarchical system (that is, exercising power over subordinates) where some men, and virtually no women, have controlled social, political, religious, military, and other prominent institutions. Schneiders, theologian Rosemary Ruether, former president of the World Council of Churches Willem Visser't Hooft, and others say that the patriarchy principle supports racism, colonialism, ageism, classism, and clericalism as well as sexism. While it is true that "dominator models of society" (Riane Eisler, The Chalice and the Blade) have been established and maintained almost entirely by men, not all men were involved in the dominator system; many of them, especially those who did not conform, suffered under it. It is entirely possible to be a father (patriarch) without being oppressive. The opposite of a patriarchy is not a matriarchy as both matriarchies and patriarchies involve an imbalance of power between the sexes; the true opposite of a matriarchy or a patriarchy is a partnership society. To clarify contemporary systems of oppression, replace "patriarchy" with: dominator system/society, dominator model of society, hierarchy, hierarchical/authoritarian society. Until neither sex needs to dominate the other, use "matriarchy/patriarchy" terms cautiously. Sex-neutral alternatives for "patriarch" include ancestor/family elder, head of the family, family head. The word "patricentric" puts the father at the center of the family or system without the hierarchical overtones of "patriarchal." See also chivalry, hierarchy/hierarchical thinking, matriarch/matriarchy, paternalism, sexism.